Protecting Your Legal Rights After An Accident Or Injury

Accidents are terrible events. Unfortunately, they do happen, both on the road, at our workplace, at home or during our vacations. As their name implies, they are unexpected. Nobody plans for accidents and they take us by surprise. The same goes for virtually any type of accident, from small ones, with minimal injuries, to serious ones, which can result in serious injuries and even death.

No matter what happens during an accident, and what the outcome is, it's important to understand that we have rights. We are entitled to legal and financial protection and representation. To understand what type of legal protection you are eligible for, you should contact the best team of personal injury lawyers you can find. Keep in mind that personal injury law protects accident victims and you may be eligible for financial compensation. Always talk to a good lawyer to get more information about this legal aspect.

Here is a short list of things to do after a personal injury or accident. You'll learn more about your rights and what you should do, in case this unfortunate event happens. Let's start:

Taking Photos – If you were involved in an accident you have the right to take pictures of the scene, your injuries and any damages that were done to your property; nobody can stop you from taking photos, so it's advisable to take as many as possible, right after the accident, if possible;

Ask For An Accident Report – This is particularly important in case of car or motorcycle accidents – if there is a police officer present, ask him or her for a detailed report; always ask for a copy of the report, as it will come in very handy when discussing with your personal injury lawyers;

Remain Silent – Keep in mind that you have the right to remain silent after an accident – and you should use this right; don't give statements, don't sign documents and don't give interviews; your statements can be used against you by the insurance company and the other party involved in the accident, or by the police; ask for your lawyer as soon as possible;

Contact Your Attorney – you also have the right to seek legal counsel after a personal injury event or an accident; do this as soon as possible and don't postpone any legal action; you will need compensation for your injuries, especially for medical bills, time off work, suffering and pain;

Your Rights As A Client

As soon as you hire an attorney, you are considered their client, and this quality comes with its own separate rights. Here are some of them:

* You Can Get A Free Case Review – Most personal injury attorneys will offer a free case review if you become their client; this free consultation will help you determine whether you have a case and what your chances are; you'll be able to ask questions and get answers without having to pay anything;

* You, Will, Be Treated With Respect – Personal injury cases are about people, not about facts or numbers; people are treated with honesty and respect, no matter what type of injury or accident they’ve been through;

* You Can Get A Free House Call – Due to the injuries sustained during the accident, clients may find it difficult to get to their lawyer's office, so a house call can be offered at no extra cost; your lawyer can visit you at home or at the hospital, while you are recovering;

* You Can Ask Questions – This is the most important aspect of legal counsel – you can ask all the questions you want related to the case; you have the right to receive regular updates, you have the right to ask questions about the fee structure, the schedule and any other detail that is important to your case;

* You Can Ask Your Lawyer To Settle The Case – You have the right to ask for a settlement if it is applicable; it's your decision, and your lawyer can offer guidance during this procedure; however, keep in mind that it's ultimately your choice – the lawyer has to do what you want;

* Long Term Legal Support – You can get legal help for the whole duration of your recovery, no matter how long it is; discuss this service with your lawyer and see what it means; this is especially helpful for clients who were victims in serious accidents;

Interacting With The Insurance Companies

Communication with the insurance company is one of the most critical aspects of a personal injury case. Usually, the insurance company should be notified about the accident, but the communication should be as minimal as possible until you get a lawyer. Many injury victims believe that they will have to make a written statement to their insurance companies after an accident. However, don't do this, at least not before you have spoken to an attorney. You may give out sensitive information which may be detrimental to your case. Simply put, if you say something wrong, your legal rights may be affected, so your best choice is simply to go silent until you get legal counseling.

The basic advice when it comes to interacting with anyone after a personal injury or accident is simple and straightforward: don't say anything and don't sign anything until you've spoken with your lawyer. Keep in mind that personal injury law is by your side and you are eligible for protection. However, you must take the appropriate measures and talk to your attorney before doing anything wrong.

Here's what to do when talking to insurance companies:

* Double-check all legal documents before signing; talk to your lawyer again if not sure

* If you have any questions about the documents, ask; if unsure, ask again

* When in doubt about anything related to your accident, contact your lawyer as soon as possible; personal injury law does offer legal protection, but you will have to know how to ask for it

After doing all these things, your attorney should be well-prepared to take on your case. Please remember, your attorney is best served if you provide relevant and accurate information. Transparency is paramount. Hopefully, after taking these precautions, you understand your rights, and you’re prepared for a successful case.